Narragansett HS Senior Receives Chamber Scholarship

On Tuesday, June 11, the Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce awarded Narragansett resident and Narragansett High School senior Zachary Zuchowski, son of Lisa and Paul Zuchowski, a $500 scholarship in recognition of academic excellence and community service.

The scholarship was presented at Narragansett High School’s Annual Awards Ceremony, held at Quidnessett Country Club. Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce Director of Mission Development Elizabeth Berman and Chamber Board Member and owner of Edward Jones Investments Michael Paolino presented the award.

In addition to academic excellence, community service, and extracurricular activities, including peer math tutoring, soccer refereeing, varsity track and soccer, Academic Decathlon, the National Honor Society, and National Foreign Language Honor Society, Zachary received the award based on his answer to this year’s essay question: How do you feel the Southern Rhode Island economy could be improved using free market principles?

Noteworthy points that Zachary made in his essay concerned the importance of building upon the principle “that a market free from excessive restriction, regulation, and taxation is ideal for its economy.

"Rhode Island’s high sales tax is not indicative of a free market; it is instead a direct display of government intervention," read Zachary's essay. "Eliminating this sales tax would greatly improve the economic condition of the community.”

Zachary noted that by resolving the sales tax issue, out-migration of our state population would decrease. He also emphasized the importance of improving RI’s business climate so that more individuals are receiving incomes from paychecks rather than government assistance programs, thus reducing government entitlement program spending. His essay was intelligent, insightful, and fact-filled.

It is with great pleasure that the Southern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce has the opportunity to introduce and honor such an outstanding young member of our community who, as noted by others, exhibits exemplary character and integrity, is viewed as generous and respectful, exhibits a real love for learning, and exemplifies the very best in academic excellence, stalwart leadership, and social consciousness.